Page 9 of Shooting his Shot

"I'm going to let you go. Text me when you get home," he commanded.

I gave a quick nod. "Will do."

February rolled in too damn fastfor my liking, and Valentine's Day would be here too soon. I didn't have anyone special to give anything to but my mother and sister, the two women in my life whom I gave something to every Valentine's Day.

I knew of a person I could give something to. We had been spending a lot of time together, and I wanted to continue doing so. Although we were only spending time cleaning Avani's old house, I would take what I could get. I wondered how she would feel if I told her I wanted to spend time with her outside of her old house. Avani was a feisty little thing, too. She went word for word with me. It turned me on, too. That was something I was trying to get hold of. I couldn't be feeling desire for her the waythat I was. That was a dangerous territory. It was something about Avani that made me want to protect her. It was the sadness I saw in her eyes. I felt like she needed me. I wanted to be there to wash away the sadness I felt coming from her.

I ran a hand over my head and sighed deeply. "Man, fuck it." Something had to give.

I sat outside the house where I knew she was. She spent too much time there. She needed a break, and I would give it to her.

I exited the car and made my way to the house and up the porch. She was in the kitchen with a bag in her hand. As I stepped inside, she stood up straight.

"I wondered how long you were going to sit in that car, staring at the house.” I heard her voice before I saw her.

I laughed shortly and stepped forward. "Yeah, I was thinking of ways to drag you out of here. You're working too hard and need a break."

Avani disagreed with me by shaking her head repeatedly. "No, I don't. I'll take a break soon."

"Now," I demanded.

Her eyes widened before they narrowed into slits. "Who are you talking to like that?"

I pointed a finger at her. "You. You are working too hard. It's okay to take a break from cleaning up. The house will be here when you come back."

She glanced around the kitchen, nibbling on her top lip. "No, I have to finish it first."

I ambled toward her and jerked the bag out of her hand. "No, you don't. You will finish it, but not today. Give yourself a break. Let's go out and have some fun. That's what you need right now. Some fun in your life."

Avani pouted. "I don't want to have fun."

I snickered. "You'll enjoy it. It is something that's missing in your life."

She scowled. "Heyy! You don't know that."

I smiled. "You just told me. Come on and have some fun with me."

"Fine, since you won't leave me alone about it."

I wanted to sigh in relief, but I knew it was better that I didn't just yet. I had never met a stubborn person before — well, I have, but none like that. Avani took it to the next level.

"Doyou still know how to skate?" I asked as I pulled into the skating rink's parking lot. Once I found a spot to park, I turned my car off.

It had been a while since I had gone skating, but I loved it, just as I knew Avani did growing up.

"Yes, I do. I usually try to come to the skating rink when I know kids won't be here."

I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. "Well, you are in luck. No kids are here today."

I stepped out of my car and went around to open the car door for her. Avani stepped out and peered around, shivering a bit. As much as I wanted to wrap my arms around her to give her some of my body heat, I didn't. That might be taking it too far. We walked side by side to the entrance of the skating rink.

She tapped my arm, getting my attention. "Do you remember that time I pushed you down, causing you to hurt your knee?"

I glared at her as she laughed at me. "That's not funny. I could have seriously hurt myself."

"Yeah, right. You were big mad that day. I thought for sure you were going to come after me on your skates, but you just went home crying to your parents."

I grunted. "Whatever. And here I go thinking I was bullying you when you were bullying me back."

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